Hurd
Joan Elizabeth (Middendorf) Hurd, wife of former Arlington official Franklin Hurd Jr. and a member of a well-known Arlington family, has died in Naples, Fla. She was 86.
The former town resident passed away Saturday, Aug. 17, at her home after an extended illness.
An obituary provided by the Keefe Funeral Home, 5 Chestnut St., noted that Joan was proud of her large and loving family and being the family’s longtime “genealogist,” she enjoyed sharing her family’s history with them.
Joan was married to Frank for about 33 years. Frank served on the then Board of Selectmen for two terms and was director of the Arlington Housing for about 17 years, until 2007. Former member of the then-Board of Selectmen, Jack Hurd, is Frank’s cousin and current member of the Select Board John V. Hurd is Jack’s son.
Known as ‘Grammie’
Born in Quincy, on June 12, 1938, she was the daughter of Charles H. Middendorf and Matiola (Nellie) D’Amico.
She was predeceased by her brother Charles (Emmie) Middendorf and sisters: Marianna (Jack) Weadbrock, Shirley (Michael) D’Andrea, Janet Marcincewich and Sylvia Middendorf.
Joan grew up in Quincy and was a graduate of Quincy High School.
She retired from AT&T, DEC (Digital Equipment Corp) and Fidelity Investments.
She was affectionately known as “Grammie” to her seven grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and by many other close friends and family members.
Former Town Meeting member
Joan was a former Arlington Town Meeting member and past member of the Arlington Democratic Town Committee. She was a longtime member of the Winchester Women’s Lodge No. 1592 Order Sons of Italy.
She loved to travel and was proud to have visited all 50 U.S. states twice. She enjoyed reading, puzzles, crochet and keeping in contact with her large family both near and far via the internet. She studied and shared her strong Christian faith with those in her local Bible study group.
She was the mother of Susan Slater, Brenda (James) Michienzi and Lori Horsman.
She was the grandmother of: Robyn (Sean) Dillon, Justin (Rebecca) Michienzi, Kenneth Michienzi, Derek (Tabatha) Michienzi, David (Morgan) Michienzi, Rachel (Dantae) Neal, Andrew (Elizabeth) Thomas.
She was the great-grandmother of: Colin Breslin, Nathan, Jayden, and Jordyn Dillon, Cash, Londyn and Gwen Michienzi and Kairi Neal.
She was the sister-in-law of Edward (Patricia) Hurd of Billerica and Ruskin, Fla, and aunt of Edward Hurd Jr. (Stephanie) of Fairfax, Va.; Caroline (Joseph) Oullette and Catherine Hurd of Dracut. Niece of Lorraine (Michael) Shea of Quincy and many cousins.
In lieu of flower, please donate to your favorite charity.
May 21, 2023: Renovated Hurd Field rededicated in ’23
This obituary was published Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, based on information from The Boston Globe, Keefe Funeral Home, Legacy.com, and local sources contacted by YourArlington.
